Calcium in Plants

Calcium uptake and mobility Calcium uptake by the plant is passive and does not require energy input. Calcium mobility in the plant takes places mainly in the xylem, together with water. Therefore calcium uptake is directly related to the plant transpiration rate. Conditions of high humidity, cold and a low transpiration rates may result in […]

READ ARTICLE

Types of Hydroponic Systems

There are two main types of hydroponic systems – closed hydroponic systems and open hydroponic systems. Hydroponic systems that do not involve growing media are usually closed systems, while hydroponic systems that involve growing media (container plants), may be closed or open systems. Closed Hydroponic Systems Closed hydroponic systems the same nutrient solution is recirculated and the nutrient concentrations are monitored […]

READ ARTICLE

Calcium Nitrate

Also called Norgessalpeter (Norwegian saltpeter) is the inorganic compound with the formula Ca(NO3)2. This colorless salt absorbs moisture from the air and is commonly found as a tetrahydrate. It is mainly used as a component in fertilizers. Nitrocalcite is the name for a mineral which is a hydrated calcium nitrate that forms as an efflorescence […]

READ ARTICLE

Hydroponic Produce and Health

In 1994 a test was commissioned by an investment group to determine the vitamin and mineral content of hydroponically grown crops in comparison to soil grown crops, both organic and non-organic. Plant Research Technologies Laboratory in San Jose, California, analyzed tomatoes and sweet peppers; those hydroponically grown used Hydroponic nutrients. The hydroponic produce showed a […]

READ ARTICLE

What’s Hydroponic, What’s Not?

If a plant is grown without soil and with a complete nutrient solution, that’s hydroponics! It can be as simple as plants glowing in sand, gravel or rockwool with a nutrient drip, or as complex as a complete waterculture system, such as NFT or aeroponics. No matter what method you use, the key to successful […]

READ ARTICLE

What’s Organic, What’s Not?

We would think that this is an easy question to answer, but it isn’t. In the United States there are numerous different definitions of “organic”, many of which differ significantly. Each state has its own regulations for labeling produce as “organic”. Additionally, there are 36 non-governmental organizations which can certify produce as organic. For example, […]

READ ARTICLE

The History of Hydroponics

Hydroponics basically means working water (“hydro” means “water” and “ponos” means “labor”). Many different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history. As noted in Hydroponic Food Production (Fifth Edition, Woodbridge Press, 1997, page 23) by Howard M. Resh: “The hanging gardens of Babylon, the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of […]

READ ARTICLE

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics basically means working water, “hydro” means “water” and “ponics” means “labor”. Believe it or not, Hydroponics has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Romans used it, and even the Babylonians used it in their ‘Hanging Gardens of Babylon‘. Additionally, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, dated several hundred years B.C. describe how they had grown […]

READ ARTICLE

The Neem Tree: A Miracle Plant

History Neem is a tropical evergreen tree native to the Indian sub-continent. This tree has a history of growing up to 50 ft. high and has been used for many different purposes for more than 4500 years. The earliest documentation revealed usage of various parts of Neem tree like fruit, leaves, seed oil, roots and […]

READ ARTICLE

Coco Coir

Coconut coir is a widely available growing medium that is becoming quite popular.  Coconut coir is made from the husk of the coconut, which is often considered a byproduct when coconut is used in other industries. Coconut husk is processed to produce fibrous material for use as a growing medium, and is noted for its […]

READ ARTICLE

Aggregate Hydroponics (Agroponics)

In aggregate hydroponic systems, a solid, inert medium provides support for the plants. As in liquid systems, the nutrient solution is delivered directly to the plant roots. Agroponic systems may be either open or closed, depending on whether surplus amounts of the solution are to be recovered and reused. Open systems do not recycle the […]

READ ARTICLE

High Density Vertical Growth (HDVG) Garden

In Victorian times, houses were very narrow, multi-storied, and had a small “footprint” on the land. This left more land for private gardening, and commons, among other things. Then came the 1960s, and “ranch style” homes, with half-acre grass covered lots. By the 1970’s anyone with a vegetable garden in a suburban or city back […]

READ ARTICLE